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March 9, 2012

As a first time parent keeping toxins away from baby is something I think about, and research often. During this process I connected with James Greenwood of Baby Loves Organic, and was able to talk him into writing up a guest post about why organic is important for baby. Enjoy!

The skin is the largest organ of the body and naturally what we put on our skin is absorbed into our bodies. A baby’s new skin is much more sensitive and thinner than adults and their developing bodies are more susceptible to chemicals in non-organic products and residues of chemicals used to grow and process textiles.

This makes them making them more likely to develop allergic reactions to ingredients such as fragrances and residues of chemicals in clothing can be absorbed through the skin and may cause allergies, skin rashes or respiratory problems.

My little boy was born 6 weeks premature and spent the first few weeks of his life in intensive care - he nearly never made it due to an infection. When we could finally hold him, we realized his skin was so very thin, so very sensitive and of course, he was so very special to us.

Almost 25% of all the world’s insecticides and 10% of pesticides are sprayed on cotton. As cotton is not primarily a food product, some of the most toxic and aggressive pesticides are used – and it’s these that are responsible for poisoning wildlife and rivers.

Pests build up resistance to chemicals, farmer borrows money to buy more chemicals than before, farmer gets less profit from crop, repeat until farmer is destitute. Many chemicals used in cotton farming are acutely toxic and at least three of them are in the “dirty dozen” – so dangerous that 120 countries agreed at a UNEP conference in 2001 to ban them and so far this hasn’t happened. The World Trade Organisation estimates 20,000 deaths and three million chronic health problems each year are the result of the use of agricultural pesticides in developing countries.

Using organic baby products isn't about being an ecowarrior (although it does help the environment!), it's about looking after your children as best you can.

Organic cotton clothing is made to last so it withstands a lot more washing and wearing than other fabrics. The lack of processing means that it will last for years to come so that any future, younger brothers and sisters can benefit from recycling these items too.

Our son is now nearly 2, causing havoc around the home and doing all the things you want a little boy to do (unless you're trying to keep up with him!) - who knows we may even decide to give him a brother or a sister! If we do though, they'll have the benefit of organic baby goods too.